33 California Schools Named National Blue Ribbon Schools For 2023

CALIFORNIA — 33 schools in California were among about 350 nationwide named Tuesday as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2023 by the U.S. Department of Education.

Schools received the designation based on overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student groups on assessments, the education department said in a news release.

“Congratulations to our outstanding Blue Ribbon Schools, where academic excellence and unwavering support for every one of our students is exceptional,” California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond said. “Your commitment to fostering an inclusive and exceptional learning environment exemplifies the true essence of education. Your dedication inspires us all, and we celebrate your remarkable achievement.”

Here are the honorees from California:

• Contra Costa County—Middle College High School, West Contra Costa Unified School District, San Pablo
• Fresno County—Edison Computech School, Fresno Unified School District, Fresno
• Fresno County—Manchester Gate Elementary School, Fresno Unified School District, Fresno
• Los Angeles County—Charles J. Carver Elementary School, ABC Unified School District, Cerritos
• Los Angeles County—Downtown Magnets High School, Los Angeles Unified School District, Los Angeles
• Los Angeles County—Glen A. Wilson High School, Hacienda La Puente Unified School District, Hacienda Heights
• Los Angeles County—Grace Miller Elementary School, Bonita Unified School District, La Verne
• Los Angeles County—Horace Mann Elementary School, Glendale Unified School District, Glendale
• Los Angeles County—Leffingwell Elementary School, East Whittier City Elementary School District, Whittier
• Los Angeles County—Los Molinos Elementary School, Hacienda La Puente Unified School District, Hacienda Heights
• Los Angeles County—Martha Baldwin Elementary School, Alhambra Unified School District, Alhambra
• Los Angeles County—Mesa Robles School, Hacienda La Puente Unified School District, Hacienda Heights
• Los Angeles County—Ocean View Elementary School, East Whittier City Elementary School District, Whittier
• Los Angeles County—San Jose Charter Academy, West Covina Unified School District, West Covina
• Los Angeles County—Wedgeworth Elementary School, Hacienda La Puente Unified School District, Hacienda Heights
• Orange County—A. G. Cook Elementary School, Garden Grove Unified School District, Garden Grove
• Orange County—Buena Terra Elementary School, Centralia Elementary School District, Buena Park
• Orange County—Crean Lutheran High School, Pacific Southwest District School District, Irvine
• Orange County—Early College High School, Newport-Mesa Unified School District, Costa Mesa
• Orange County—Susan B. Anthony Elementary School, Garden Grove Unified School District, Westminster
• Orange County—Thomas Paine Elementary School, Garden Grove Unified School District, Garden Grove
• Riverside County—Eastvale Elementary School, Corona-Norco Unified School District, Eastvale
• Riverside County—John F. Kennedy Middle College High School, Corona Norco Unified School District, Norco
• San Bernardino County—Sixth Street Prep STREAM, Victor Elementary School District, Victorville
• San Bernardino County—Terra Vista Elementary School, Etiwanda Elementary School District, Rancho Cucamonga
• San Diego County—Casita Center for Technology, Science & Math, Vista Unified School District, Vista
• San Diego County—Garfield Elementary School, San Diego Unified School District, San Diego
• San Francisco County—John Yehall Chin Elementary School, San Francisco Unified School District, San Francisco
• San Francisco County—Jose Ortega Elementary School, San Francisco Unified School District, San Francisco
• San Francisco County—Ulloa Elementary School, San Francisco Unified School District, San Francisco
• San Joaquin County—Middle College High School at San Joaquin Delta College, Lodi Unified School District, Stockton
• Santa Barbara County—Hope Elementary School, Hope Elementary School District, Santa Barbara
• Santa Barbara County—Peabody Charter School, Santa Barbara Unified School District, Santa Barbara

Miguel Cardona, the secretary of education, said the schools set a “national example” for what it means to raise the bar in education.

“The leaders, educators, and staff at our National Blue Ribbon Schools continually inspire me with their dedication to fostering academic excellence and building positive school cultures that support students of all backgrounds to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally,” Cardona said.

This is the 40th year of the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program. About 10,000 awards have been handed out to more than 9,700 schools in that time.

Schools that receive the honor share certain characteristics, the education department said. School leaders share their vision of excellence and hold everyone to high standards. Additionally, the schools are effective, innovative, and value and support teachers and staff with professional learning. The schools also use data to drive instruction, and students strive for success.

The Department recognizes all schools in one of two categories, based on student scores and graduation rates:

Exemplary High-Performing Schools: These are among the state’s highest performing schools, measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests.

Exemplary Achievement Gap-Closing Schools: These are among the state’s highest performing schools in closing achievement gaps between a school’s student groups and all students.